Sony to begin scanning PlayStation messages and user activity

Sony has significantly strengthened its control over users of the PlayStation Network. The company has updated its Terms of Service and Privacy Policy (Version 12, April 2026), expanding the scope of automated moderation and monitoring.

According to the new rules, Sony will actively analyze messages, online activity, and user-uploaded content. The goal is to detect and block harmful material.

What Sony will scan

Automated systems are now designed to specifically detect:

• hate speech and abusive language;
• spam and malicious links;
• terrorism-related content;
• material involving self-harm and eating disorders;
• child exploitation and pornography.

To do this, Sony is using hash-matching technology and other automated recognition tools. Monitoring applies not only to consoles, but also to the PlayStation mobile app, PC services, and third-party platforms integrated with PSN.

Improved appeal system for bans

Sony has revised its appeals process for users who receive permanent account bans. Users in supported countries will now be able to submit complaints through a dedicated support portal. The company states that it will review appeals in a timely, objective, and non-discriminatory manner, and that accounts may be restored in cases of error.

Other key changes

Passkey: Sony has officially expanded support for passkeys, a more modern and secure login method that removes the need for traditional passwords.

Parental controls: Adults managing children’s accounts (Family Managers) now carry increased legal responsibility. If they raise a child’s spending limit above zero, they confirm that the child understands how purchases work and that the adult is willing to cover all charges within the set limit.

Digital purchases: The company has again reminded users that games and content are licensed, not fully owned.

The minimum age for creating a PSN account remains 7 years old, with mandatory parental controls.

In brief

Sony has updated PlayStation Network rules, significantly expanding automated scanning of messages, activity, and uploaded content to combat toxicity, terrorism-related material, self-harm content, and other prohibited activity. The company has improved its ban appeal process, added passkey support, and increased parental responsibility for children’s accounts. The new terms apply across the entire PlayStation ecosystem, from consoles to mobile apps and PC services.